Henry Jacobi has pretty much all the characteristics that a successful motocross rider needs. He is determined and ambitious, strong but fair in a challenge and always wants to win. And yet, he is always cheerful and in high spirits even when faced with all the seriousness that surrounds, according to him, the world championship and waxes particularly lyrical when reminiscing about how he first got started on a motocross bike. "I've been riding motorbikes since I was three. My first bike was given to me by Ken Roczen, who is a family friend. My father always used to call the small Suzuki the 'cigar', because it smoked so much!" said the 19-year-old, looking back.
At just four years of age, the young MX talent entered his first race in Eckolstädt for Klepka MX team. His sister, his parents, grandmother and his aunts were all there to cheer him on. "Kenny's father Heiko took me on in his team and ran alongside me for the entire race. I was still not quite sure what to do and even stopped at one point to tell my sister that I needed the toilet. Unfortunately, I actually finished last in the end, but Heiko then presented me with one of Ken's old trophies for being the youngest entrant. So losing suddenly didn't really matter much anymore," laughed Henry.
You would not think that Henry is unsure of himself these days. He now regularly finishes in the points in the MX2 World Championship and his name often gets a mention thanks to fine finishes in the Top 15 despite only competing in grands prix since last year. "I'm the most aggressive rider around on the bike, and I can't stand it, if I don't live up to my expectations and fail to achieve my goals. This year, I definitely intend to be one of the top ten riders in the world championship," said the 19-year-old, who rides for Honda Racing team, Jtech.
But he already knows that it won't be easy. "Everyone in the world championship is your immediate rival. The atmosphere is very tense. No one talks to anyone. Everyone is wrapped up in themselves at race weekends. It can be quite intimidating at times, but I use this pressure from the competition in a positive way, because I'm much faster on the track when I'm under pressure," said the world championship rider, who contested only the European rounds in 2015 but has lined up in every GP so far in 2016.
What he finds particularly interesting about the world championship is that he can compare himself directly with the world's best riders. "During a grand prix, I get the enormous urge to do better and then to become the best there is, for sure!" said Henry. Despite all of that, the ADAC MX Masters is for him still the best racing series around after the world championship, because the atmosphere is completely different. "We always have a laugh at the Masters. Everyone has lots of fun and we really enjoy race weekends. However, the shutters come down at night in the world championship," said the Honda rider, who was crowned world champion in the 85cc class in France when he was just 13.
The MX star has been part of the German national MX squad since 2014. He made his debut with Max Nagl and Dennis Ullrich as a Team Germany member two years ago following Marcus Schiffer's accident shortly before Kegums. The 'gang' of three then rode again together in Ernée, France, in 2015.
So, Henry Jacobi has a lot of potential, which could still benefit him in the world championship over the coming years. He himself thinks that technically he has a definite advantage over the others, however, his riding style is quite individual rather than textbook - but a little bit of individuality never harmed anyone!